Chapter Five: Danya Breaks Up, Horror Movie Vid Fest
The next morning was Saturday, and it was the beginning of the street fair. Harmony and Anya were running their booth both Saturday and Sunday, to get more money. Buffy and Spike were helping them set up before they went off on their own. Spike was looking at some of the gorgeous jewelry that Harm had made. ''Wow, Harm, these are brill.'' Spike said.
Harmony grinned. ''Thanks, Spike. I had a lot of fun making them. Hey, why don't you buy something for Buffy?'' She asked, doing a Vanna and showing off her merchandise.
Anya seemed excited by this prospect. She had been down about Xander, even though he seemed to be doing much better physically. ''Yes, please. Spend money.'' She was sitting by a till that Harmony had managed to procreate.
Riley joined them, carrying two more boxes of the jewelry. His brother Jason was behind him, carrying two more. ''Hey, girl of mine, where do you want me to put these?'' He asked, not even straining a bit under the weight. Jason, either. The Finn boys were big and muscular.
Harmony pointed to a spot at the corner of their booth. ''Right over there. Don't bring the last two until I sell some. Jason can put his boxes on top of yours.'' She kissed Riley's cheek while he couldn't stop her and then kissed Jason's.
Spike and Buffy said hi to Riley and Jason, then the two of them walked off to meet Faith and Oz at the beginning of the street. The four of them were going to go off on their own. They didn't have to wait long for them to show up. ''Hey, Faith, Oz.'' Spike said, waving with his free hand.
Faith smiled. ''Hey, Spike, Buff.'' She had done wonders with her hair. It was sleek and shiny, and done up in curls. It cascaded down her back in gorgeous waves. She had obviously done something else to it than just washing it. ''You guys, guess what? Random House is going to publish Angel's book! Isn't that awesome? And they're going to make a movie about his life. They're going to focus on his romance with Cordelia.''
Her friends were happy for her. Buffy gave her a hug. ''Who's going to do the movie? Is it going to be a t.v. movie, or a theatrical release?'' She asked, pushing back her own long waves. Hers were blonde, but her hair was almost as long as Faith's.
Faith said, ''A t.v. movie, 'cause Lifetime's going to do it. I think they're going to try to get Scott Wolf to star as Angel. They want Charisma Carpenter to star as Cordy, but they don't think that they'll get her.''
Spike said, ''Well, even if they don't, I'm sure that it'll be a great movie. And even if they can't get that Scott bloke, I'm sure there's someone who's just as good an actor. Maybe that David Boreanaz bloke could do it. He's on some show I saw on telly once, I just can't remember what it was.''
Faith was really excited, and it was showing. ''I'm sure it'll be great. They're casting all of us. I don't know how much of the story we'll be in, but Spike, they asked me if they could call you Will in the movie. They know that's not what you go by, but they will be starting when we all were kids, so technically, you won't have gotten the nickname yet.''
Spike said, ''No way. My name is really important to me. No one will be changing my name. Spike it is, and Spike it's going to stay. Angel wouldn't have wanted them to change it. There's no way in hell he would have wanted them to. It was partly his idea that I keep it.''
Buffy was still stuck on the part her friend had said about their casting of the entire group. ''I wonder who they'll get to play me. I think that the girl that's on 7th Heaven, playing Lucy, would be good. She's a good actress.''
Faith said, ''Yeah, but her hair isn't long enough. Besides, she would have to be able to have time off from 7th Heaven to do it. She might not be able to get the time. If she can't, that girl who just started singing could. If she can act, that is. Britney Spears?''
Buffy said, ''She's just the right age, too. She doesn't look like me, but she's cute, so I guess that is a good thing.''
Spike looked at Oz and rolled his eyes. ''Oz, man, would you listen to them? Planning out this movie? It's about Angel, and they're wondering who is going to play themselves.''
Oz shrugged. ''I'm indifferent, man. I don't care who plays me as long as the guy can act and looks good with blue hair.'' For Oz's hair was blue that day.
Spike laughed. ''I wonder if I could get my hair to look good blue. I bet that I couldn't. I shouldn't mess with perfection.'' He teased, and Buffy tickled him lightly.
They strolled along the street, talking about the movie. Faith had been teasing Buffy, saying that Tori Spelling should play her. Buffy teased back, saying that Shannen Doherty should play her. Spike and Oz stayed out of the conversation, just listening and trying not to laugh.
When it was noon, they went back to Harm and Anya's booth, where business was booming. Harmony said, ''I'm so ready for a lunch break. Riley's taking over for me to help Anya out. Then Anya's going to take one, and Jason will fill in for her. It's been crazy. I've already made six hundred dollars and we've only been open for three hours.''
Faith said, ''That's not bad. Don't you have to split it fifty-fifty with Anya?'' She was peering at some of the jewelry that was on sale.
Harmony corrected her. ''No, that's my half. We've made twelve hundred dollars total. I've got to open at least two of those boxes back in the back corner or I won't have anything to sell. Then I've got two more in Riles' van, and if I have to, there's twenty more at my house that I can sell. If I have to have Riles and Jase get those, then we won't have to have it open tomorrow.''
Buffy said, ''Wow, Harm, we know what you should do after you graduate. Be a jewelry designer. You are clearly making good money.''
Devon joined them, but he didn't say hi. He went over to Anya. ''An, I need to break up with you. I was really falling for you, but you are clearly still in love with Xander Harris. I can't keep dating you knowing that you feel this way. I'm sorry, but I won't do it anymore.''
Anya stood up. ''Devon Smith, I can't believe that you would do this to me! I am a pregnant woman, and we are known for our raging hormones!'' She got up and ran down the street, to go to the bathroom in the diner.
Everyone that had currently been browsing the booth looked at Devon strangely for a moment and then went back to their shopping. Buffy and Faith hurried after Anya, telling Harm and the boys that they would catch them up.
Anya was sitting in a stall, crying her eyes out. She looked up at the girls' entrance. ''I'm sorry. He was right. I'm not in love with him, so I'm not at all hurt by this, I just, I really do have raging hormones. Once you start the waterworks, it's hard to get them to stop!'' She cried into her handkerchief.
Buffy stroked her hair. ''An, it's OK. Things will get better, I promise. You and Xander can work this out, you just have to talk about things. No one is going to make you.''
Anya shook her head. ''No, Buffy. I can't. I still don't know what I'm going to do with the baby, and I don't want to put Xander in the position where he would have to worry about it. I also don't know if I'm ready to be intimate with a man yet, and Xander and I were like bunnies.'' She said, making her friends laugh.
The entire group had always wondered how Anya and Xander had truly felt about each other. They had always assumed that they were just about the sex and hanging out. They never knew that there was actual love there. Now Buffy said, ''Anya, if you guys are meant to be, things will work themselves out. Don't worry about it. You just work through what you need to work through. Things will work out if they're meant to.'' She wasn't just saying this because she wanted to make Anya feel better. She really did believe it.
Faith warmed to the idea. ''You bet, An. Xander will come back to you. In the meantime, let's go and have a great lunch. Harm, Spike, and Oz are waiting for us at the pizza parlor. And if you want, after lunch, you can call Xand. He's home today. His mom and dad are doting on him, too.''
The three girls left the diner and started off down the street, Anya feeling better. She hoped that she and Devon could still be friends. She wasn't sorry that they were broken up, because she really didn't think that they should continue to date. It had been a bad idea from the start.
When they reached the pizza parlor, Harm and the boys had already gotten a booth, and got up to let them in. Buffy settled in next to Spike and grinned. ''So, how's everyone today?'' She cracked, and everyone had a laugh.
Spike said, ''All right, the usual on the pizza?'' They usually got a couple of larges, pepperoni and pineapple and bacon and mushroom.
Everyone nodded and he gave the order to the waitress, who had seen the girls enter and nodded and went to take the order to the back. Harmony said, ''So, what do you guys think of me going to UCLA?''
Faith looked at her. ''Oh my God, Harm, did you get accepted there?'' She could hardly believe it. She was so happy for Harm. Harmony hadn't been an exceptional student most of her life, and if she had gotten in there, she must have been working hard.
Harmony nodded. ''I'm going to take some drawing classes, and some business classes, so I can open my own fashion house. I also like to design clothes, and I think I could make a really good living. I can get a job at one that already exists, while I save money to open my own. That's mainly where most of my money from today is going to go. Towards UCLA. I got in on part scholarship, so I'll need some money.''
Buffy said, ''But still, Harm, that sounds awesome! You'll have a great time. I applied to a small university in London, called Carriage Hill University. It's a really small college, but it's got really good teachers and a great curriculum, so I bet that I will do great there if I get in.''
Spike looked at her. ''You didn't tell me that you applied to a school in London! That's great, luv. If you get in, we can both go to London together.'' He kissed her, and everyone smiled.
They passed the rest of the lunch hour happily, and Harmony and Anya realized that they had left Riley and Jason there alone, and they ran off down the street. Their friends laughed, as they followed them much more slowly. Faith said, ''I bet Anya's regretting going to lunch and missing out on all that money.''
Buffy shook her head. ''She's not missing out on anything. Harmony and Anya aren't doing things by the hour, they're just going by total profits. So whatever they make at the end of the day, they have to split fifty-fifty. The boys are just filling in when one of the girls needs a break, so they aren't making them pay them for it.''
Faith said, ''Wow, Riles is a great boyfriend.'' She turned to Oz. ''You would help me out like that if I needed it, right?'' She knew he would, she just needed him to say it.
Oz nodded. ''Anything you need, babe. I am expendable, just for your use.'' He kissed her lightly, and Faith was relieved.
They reached Harmony's and Anya's booth, where it seemed to have calmed down just a little. It was lunch time, after all. Their customers must have been getting lunch. Riley and Jason had disappeared. Spike asked, ''Where'd the boys go?''
Harmony was beside herself with glee. ''They had to go and get more boxes of jewelry because we're sold out!''
They rejoiced over this, and then they saw Joyce Summers and Dawn walking through the throng. Spike was the first to see them. ''Hey, Joyce, L'il Bit.'' He said, giving Dawn a hug.
Joyce smiled at the group. ''Dawnie and I decided to see what this street fair thing was like. Didn't we, Dawn?'' She asked, taking a look at Harm's jewelry.
Dawn shrugged. ''Mom did, I just wanted to see Spike and ya'll.'' She pointedly ignored her sister and went over to Anya. ''How's the baby, An?'' She asked.
As Anya talked to Dawn, Buffy looked to Faith. ''I wonder why Dawn's ignoring me? What do you think I could have done to her?''
Faith shook her head. ''I have no idea, B. Maybe you did something without knowing it. Dawn and you didn't grow up together. It has to have been hard trying to get to know each other. I'm sure if you pissed her off bad enough, she'll tell you what it is that you did.''
Buffy went over to Joyce. ''Mom, I think Spike and I are going to get going. Faith and Oz, too. We're going to rent some Halloween vids and just have a veg fest. We're going to be going to Faith's, OK?'' She knew it was better to let her mom know so she didn't worry.
Joyce nodded. ''Sure, honey. If you end up wanting to spend the night, call. Dawn and I are going to look around a bit more and then go home. I've got a date coming over, and he wants to meet Dawn. He wants to meet you, too, but you have plans. So another time will be OK.''
Buffy hugged her mother, said good-bye to Harmony and Anya, told them to say good-bye to Riley and Jason for them, and they were off. They walked to the video store first, to get the movies. ''So, what should we get, you lot?'' Spike asked.
Faith shrugged. ''Anything's good. I've heard that The Poltergiest is really scary. Plus, there's supposed to be this curse that has been acted out or something. Everyone who acted on it is dead but the parents. At least, that's what I heard.''
Buffy shook her head. ''I've seen it like thirty times. It's scary, but I'm sick of it. What about The Exorcist? There's something about Linda Blair's head spinning around that gives me the willies.''
Spike nodded. ''Definitely. And we should most definitely get the Evil Dead films. Those aren't scary, per se, but they are the best movies in the horror genre.''
Oz had been quiet up till then. ''Yes, let's get the Evil Dead movies. Bruce Campbell is the best actor. Plus, they're really bloody, so the girls will be grossed out and want to cuddle.''
Both Buffy and Faith smacked Oz lightly on the arm. ''OK, that's good, but let's get two more, so we can have a nice even six. I vote for The Amityville Horror. It's an old one, too, but I hear it's worth watching.'' Buffy said.
After some more debate, they left the video store with The Exorcist, The Evil Dead, The Evil Dead 2, Army Of Darkness, (the third and final movie in the Evil Dead series) The Amityville Horror, and Carrie. Buffy was up for saving The Exorcist for last, since it was reputed to be the best horror film of all time. Spike didn't care what they watched first, he just wanted to get down to it.
They decided to watch Carrie first, and got right down to it. Buffy had seen it just as many times as she had seen Poltergiest, so she fell asleep. It wasn't a dreamless sleep, and her dream was nothing like she'd ever had before, but it excited her:
It was a gorgeous morning on Buffy's first day of university. She had never thought that she would be here in London, going to school. It was the best day of her life. She was nervous about going to school where she wouldn't know anyone, but she could handle it. Spike wasn't starting U of L until the following morning, so he was ready to see her off.
They stood on the lawn of the small school, and Buffy couldn't help feeling a bit of trepidation. She was going to hate leaving Spike, but she supposed that she could handle a day without him. She just wasn't going to like it. ''Well, Spike, this is it. My first day of college.''
Spike kissed her. ''You're going to be brill, Buffy. I know it. You can do this. Sunnydale is a million miles away, but this could quickly become home for you. All of our other friends played it safe and are attending UC Sunnydale. You're venturing out and trying something new.''
Before she could dream anymore, Spike was waking her up. ''Buffy, wake up. We're stopping to get some popcorn. The movie's half-way over.''
Buffy ran her hands through her blonde hair. ''Sorry, sweetie. I didn't know I was so tired.'' She got up to follow Faith to the kitchen.
Faith handed her the bag to put in the microwave. ''Girl, what is with you? You're sleeping through one of the scariest movies of all time. What's with you?'' She was surprised. Horror films had always been favorites of Buffy's. After Dirty Dancing, of course.
Buffy shrugged. ''I don't know. I didn't know that I was so tired.'' She wondered if she was pregnant, and that's why she was getting tired so early. She didn't know why else she would be. She had gotten plenty of sleep the night before.
While the popcorn popped, Faith looked all over the kitchen for a bowl to put it in. She asked, ''Do you think that we should pop a couple of bags, to make sure we've got enough?''
Her friend seemed to be in a trance and didn't answer right away. Finally she seemed to realize that Faith had spoken to her. ''Oh, yeah, 'cause if we don't, Spike'll eat all of it.''
Faith took the finished bag out and dumped it into the bowl. ''Here, take this out there. I'll pop the other one.'' She didn't think that Buffy would be able to remember to put it in the microwave.
When she had finished, she took it out into the living room. Spike and Oz had already dug into the first bowl, and both looked up as she entered. Spike asked, ''So, we ready to continue?'' He asked.
Faith nodded. ''Yeah, let's get going. I swear, Buffy's out of it today.'' She sat down on the floor next to Oz, and Spike crawled back up on the couch beside his girlfriend.
They were finished with Poltergiest when Buffy woke again. She was bleary-eyed and very confused. Her friends were putting in The Evil Dead. She ran her hands through her hair and went into the kitchen, to get some Vanilla Pepsi. She needed caffeine, to wake up.
It was around midnight when they had finally finished watching the movies. Buffy was the only one awake, as Spike, Oz, and Faith had fallen asleep. Buffy had drank two Diet Pepsi Vanillas after the first Pepsi she'd had, so she was wired. She had called her house, to talk to her mom, and Dawn had answered. The guy had still been at the house, and Dawn was very rude to her. Buffy had finally asked what it was that had made Dawn so angry. Dawn had told her that it was the fact that Spike was going to school in London, and that Buffy was engaged to him. Since Dawn had a crush on him, she wasn't too happy about it.
Buffy left a note for Faith and headed out the door, locking it behind her. She figured that she would go on home, since it was so late. She walked the short walk to her house. Faith lived four houses down the street from her. She entered the house. Dawn and her mother were asleep on the couch, and Forever Young was playing on the television. It was the best Mel Gibson movie ever made. At least, so far.
She turned the movie off and headed up the stairs. They had the video somewhere, Dawn and her mom must have been channel-surfing. She changed into her pajammas, and stared at her bed. She and Spike had made love there not that long ago. She wanted to again, and she hoped that Spike did, too. Even if they had that baby thing to worry about. Buffy just hoped that she wasn't pregnant, because it might screw up the plan. She didn't want anything to screw up the plan.